Winning specialist status means an extra £126,000 for the next three years. That money is to spend on computers, classroom equipment such as interactive whiteboards and helping community groups get people in the area computer literate.

Head teacher Brian Worrall was delighted with the news.

He said: "We chose maths and computing because we have such phenomenal success in these subjects."

Sidney Stringer School was one of the first specialist schools in the country in 1995 when it became a flagship for the government's city technology college scheme.

But inspectors decided in 2001 the school no longer merited the accolade.

Mr Worrall said: "When we were a technology college we suffered a little from being a pioneer. The school grew half as big again and it was difficult to sustain."

Caludon Castle School in Axholme Road, Wyken, Coventry, has also won specialist status, becoming a specialist business and enterprise college.

Head Carol Reid said: "We aim to develop a business and enterprise culture and produce the entrepreneurs of the future".